Drapery support system

ABSTRACT

A drapery support system comprising a substantially enclosed rod with U-shaped members extending from the bottom thereof with the exposed uprights of said members providing support for a drapery pleater, having a plurality of slots therein for the placement of a drape to be pleated and supported. The U-shaped members are supported and controlled by lazy tongs having guide elements in the form of projecting pins and an overriding channel member for control thereof so that said lazy tongs can be driven by pull cords moving within said rod in a uniform manner to provide even spacing of the pleaters and the drapes attendantly connected therewith. A further embodiment incorporates lazy tongs hhaving pin shaped extensions which fit into disc shaped guides having eyelets depending therefrom.

United States Patent 1 Powers 1 1 DRAPERY SUPPORT SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Samuel Doston Powers, Anaheim,

Calif.

[731 Assignees: La Verne Jane Powers; Bruce Wayne Powers [22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1971 1 1 Appl. No.: 182,444

[52] US. Cl. 160/342 [51] Int. Cl A47h 5/04 [58] Field of Search 160/342, 348, 344, 160/345, 346, 347, 84 H, 84 V, 161, 162; l6/8787. 8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,013,603 12/1961 Rosenberg et 160/348 X 3,223,148 12/1965 Potye 160/348 3,324,501 6/1967 Lydard l6/87.4 R 3,338,289 8/1967 Catalan0... 160/161 3,424,225 1/1969 Magnusson 1601345 3,609,795 10/1971 Znamirowski et a1. 16/87.4 R 3,654,983 4/1972 Hachtel 160/348 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 4,364 3/1889 Great Britain.; [60/342 Primary ExaminerMervin Stein Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Attorney-George F. Bethel [57] ABSTRACT A drapery support system comprising a substantially enclosed rod with U-shaped members extending from the bottom thereof with the exposed uprights of said members providing support for a drapery pleater, having a plurality of slots therein for the placement of a drape to be pleated and supported. The U-shaped members are supported and controlled by lazy tongs having guide elements in the form of projecting pins and an overriding channel member for control thereof so that said lazy tongs can be driven by pull cords moving within said rod in a uniform manner to provide even spacing of the pleaters and the drapes attendantly connected therewith. A further embodiment incorporates lazy tongs hhaving pin shaped extensions which fit into disc shaped guides having eyelets dlepending therefrom.

6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDAUB 1W5 3.750.738

SHEEI 1 Bf 2 INVENTOR l8 DOSTON POWERS GEORGE F. BETHEL ATTORNEY PATENIED 3.750.738

SHEET 2 0f 2 INVENTOR.

424 F|G DOSTON POWERS GEORGE F. BETHEL ATTORNEY DRAPERY SUPPORT SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of this invention lies within the drapery support art.

2. The Prior Art The prior art relating to draperies and more specifically as to drapery supports, curtain rods, pleaters, and other fixtures for supporting and pleating drapes has had many drawbacks.

Initially, drapes designed for hanging on a rod with a portion thereof looped over the rod, do not slide easily along the rod. As a consequence, the art is directed to drapes and drape supports which can be affixed to a sliding member on a rod. Such sliding members for drape supports generally comprise elements that are in the form of eyelets with round discs for seating within a rod. The discs slide in channel-like grooves and are allowed to be pulled at random with respect to a cord attached to one of them or to the drape which they serve to support.

Within each of the aforementioned eyelets, a pleater fixture is usually hooked. The pleater fixture generally comprises a plurality of bars which are in substantiallly parallel relationship over which a drape is placed in conformity around each bar. Thus, the pleats are effectuated by S-shaped loops of thedrape around each particular bar of the pleater fixture. Thus, the curtainis hung with the pleats which have been conformed to the pleater fixture bars and spaces therebetween. The use of pleater bars is a substantial detriment to a smoothly hung pleat which hangs outwardly from the curtain rod sufficiently to provide a neatly pleated appearance.

In addition to the foregoing drawbacks with regard to the pleater fixture, there are other drawbacks with regard to smooth operation of a drape as it is pulled along the channelized support member holding the discshaped sliding elements therein. Specifically, the discshaped sliding elements bind within the support rods to a point where they must be moved by a hand operation extrinsic to the use of the pull cords. Furthermore, the use of the eyelets often causes the pleats and curtain to be grouped together to the point where the material is not properly spaced. The eyelets also have a tendency to come off the rod and not support the drape in a smooth functioning manner.

Another drawback of the prior art is that the pleats of the drapes do not generally hang in a smooth uniform manner. In other words, they are not supported in a consistently uniform manner for a proportionally draped appearance. Specifically, the drapes and the support means tend to bunch up along certain portions of the support rod, in an offset manner, so that the drape is not supported in a neat, vertically oriented manner.

This invention has overcome the foregoing deficiencies of the prior art by providing a substantially improved pleating fixture. The combination of the cham nelized drapery support rod and smooth running U- shaped members of this invention tends to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art as to disattachment of the hanging members of the prior art.

Additionally, an improvement of this invention is the uniform hanging provided by the consistent and proportionately operating hanging means hereof, generally referred to as lazy tongs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In summation, this invention provides a uniformly hung drape with superior and uniform pleats with a smooth running hanging device within a rod which can be operated by a pull cord.

More specifically, the invention incorporates a pleater fixture having openings therein which are such that they nip the drape and cause it to fan out from a central portion to provide pleats having a neat and uniform appearance. Additionally, the drapery rod of this invention has a series of U-shaped members supported on sliding apparatus which is maintained inside of a smooth and free-running rod to avoid the binding attendant with the prior art. Also, the substantial binding of the prior art is overcome and the disassociation of the support members from the channelized rod.

In addition to the foregoing improvements of this invention over the prior art, it provides a uniform and proportional hanging of the drapes so that each pleat is substantially uniform and proportionally spaced as it slides throughout its traverse along the rod. This is extremely important for appearance sake, because if pleats and spaces are left along the length of therod, the appearance is one of a disheveled and nonuniformly hung drape.

In essence, this invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing smoothly hung wellpleated uniform drapes that can beeasily slid along the traverse of the drapes without the support members coming loose from the rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented perspective view of drapes hung on the drapery support comprising thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the drapery support member of this invention along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional partially fragmented view of the drapery support of this invention showing the im terior of the drapery rod, the hanging member,and the pleater; t

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional partially fragmented view of a portion of this invention as seen in the direction of line 4-4 FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view of the end plates of the drapery rod of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a top partially sectioned and fragmented plan view of the drapery rod of this invention with the pleater and the hanging member thereof;

FIG. 7 shows a fragmented elevation view of an alternative embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 shows another fragmented alternative embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 shows the spring connection utilized with this invention;

FIG. 10 shows an exploaded view of the members comprising the lazy tongs of this invention;

FIG. 11 shows an elevation view of an alternative hanger of this invention with a pleater bar therein;

FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 11; and,

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an alternative hanger of this invention and a partially fragmented view of the hanger in an opposing direction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Looking specifically at FIG. 1 in conjunction with the remaining figures, a drapery rod is shown having a pair of cords l2 and 14 extending therefrom with pull attachments 16. The drapery rod 10 has pleated drapes I8 attached thereto for sliding movement along the length therefor. For simplicity, pleats are shown having a formation without the detailed positioning which is attendant with the use of this invention, and without the continuous pleats along the height of the drapes.

The drapes 18 are hung on a pleater fixture or bar 22 which has a series of radial extensions 24 and circular openings 26 therein. The circular openings 26 extend along the length of the pleater fixture. The fixture can be extruded as one single piece of plastic if desired. The drape 18 which is held by the pleater fixture is shown seated around the extensions 24 and nipped within the circular openings 26. The drape may be held in place by means of a pin 28 extending therethrough which has been shown positioned in FIGS. 4 and FIG. 6.

When the drape is in place surrounding the pleater fixture, it tends to retain its outward fanned configuration as it bends around the extensions 24 and is nipped within the openings 26. This pleated appearance tends to continue along the height of the drape. A rounded opening 32 is provided for seating of the pleater fixture over an upstanding member as will be described.

The pleater fixture or bar is held by a U-shaped member 36 having a rounded upstanding bead 38 extending from a web 40 both comprising an upright 48. The upright is molded to a cross member 44 which in turn is molded to a second upright 46. Thus, an upright 46, cross member 44 and beaded and webbed configuration formed out of an upright 48 is provided so that the combination forming a U-shaped hanger extends from the rod outwardly and upwardly to support the pleater fixture or bar 22.

The U-shaped support members 36 are affixed to pins 50 through openings thereof 52. The pins 50 can be part of a series of lazy tongs 54 which are shown in detail having crossed members 56 and 57 supported by pins 58 at their centers and a second pair of extending pins 60 at their upper portions. The pins 50, 58 and 60 can have respective depressed circular rings 51, 59 and 61 surrounding the pins as they extend through the openings of the lazy tong member 57 placed thereover, or formed as a portion thereof. The pins 50, 58 and 60 can be molded to the members 56. In this manner the pins 50, 58 and 60 serve as male extensions into holes appropriately placed in the members 57. The members 57 can have a slightly reduced opening so that they snap over the pins 50, 58 and 60 and are retained by the slightly enlarged protruding portions of the pins beyond the circular grooves 51, 59 and 61. The pins 58, 60 and 50 are free-moving within the lazy tong legs 57 to provide a flexure of the lazy tongs in a longitudinal manner. Thus, the lazy tongs 54 move in the direction of the axis of the lazy tongs generally in the direction of a line defined by the pins 58.

The pins 50 provide a glide means and can be made of plastic such as a vinyl for smooth operation over a pair of rails or beaded projections 62 and 64 which extend along the length of the rod 10. In this manner, a smooth movement with decreased friction is provided for the lazy tongs 54 as they glide along the surface of the longitudinal projections 62 and 64.

In order to secure the lazy tongs 54 to the rod 10, a pin is driven through each end of the lazy tongs such as pins and 72 at either end of the rod. These pins effectively hold the ends of the lazy tongs 54 in place, so that as they slide along in response to pulling by the cords l2 and 14, they will not come out of the end positions in which they are maintained.

To maintain the tops of the lazy tongs, and specifically the pins 60 in line with each other in a consistent and proportional manner, a guide bar or floating channel is provided. The guide bar 74 has an interior opening 76 with slots 78 and 80 on either side thereof to receive the pins 60 passing thereinto. The guide bar 74 is a free floating guide bar and is allowed to float freely over the pins 60 so that a smooth action and proportional placement of the lazy tongs is effectuated by the invention.

At a point where the drapes are to come together a bowed drapery hanging extension 80 is provided having a pin 82 connecting the drape l8 thereto. In this manner, the drape I8 is secured by the pin to the bowed drapery hanging extension 80 held in position. In addition to the bowed drapery hanging extension 80, there is a straight drapery hanging extension 84 having a like pin relationship for holding the curtain 18 as shown on the right hand side of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The rod 10 is comprised of a channel member 88 which can be formed from an extrusion, having overlying inward projections 90 and 92 for purposes of maintaining the pin 50 in position as it slides along the beaded projections 62 and 64. The rod 10 is formed with an enlarged portion 94 on the side which is to face the wall. End caps 96 and 98 are shown such as they are interchangeable and can be placed over either end of the rod, secured by screws seated in the screw holes 100 and 1 02.

The fragmented showing of FIG. 5 does not show the complete upstanding portions of the end caps 96 and 98. However, it should be understood that the end caps 96 and 98 are interchangeable at either end of the rod 10. The end caps 96 and 98 are provided with a projection 104 having an axial passage I06 therethrough which receives a pull cord 12 or I4 as it returns to run through the opposite end cap 96 having holes H0 and 112 through which the cord can pass. A pair of projections 114 and 116 are shown which seat the end caps 96 and 98 in the channelized section 88 of the rod. In this manner, effective end caps are provided which cover the channelized rod 10 in the most advantageous manner. 1

In order to link the lazy tongs to the cords 12 or 14 in an efficacious manner, a T member 120 is provided having a half round 122 with a hole 124 therethrough. The T member 120 further has openings for the receipt of pins 128 therethrough so that they can secure the cord to the T member. The T member 120 is allowed to glide in the space provided between the extensions 90 and 92 and the pin 50. Thus, the cord 12 is held in locked position within the T member 120 by passing through the axial opening 126 thereof and being tied by The depending carriers 202 have disc shaped portions 204 inserted in the rod 200 with an eyelet 206 therein. The eyelet 206 can receive the pin 60 of tong members 56 inserted with the circular reduced portion 61 and enlarged protuberance extending therefrom to hold the tongs in the eyelet. Thus, the carriers 202 can be spaced evenly along state of the art drapery rods.

Conventional hanging means can be utilized with the tongs 54 such as the pleater fixtures with bars of the prior art. Additionally, the hanging fixtures 22 and U shaped member 36 can be utilized in the manner previously described.

A spring 300 is affixed to the lower pin 50 of the lazy tongs. The spring is also affixed to a static pin 302 which is part of the rod 10. The pin 302 can also be made a part of any other member as long as it remains in situ and holds the end of the spring 300 in place. The purpose of the spring 300 is to cushion and buffer the expansion and contraction of the lazy tongs.

An alternative hanger 400 formed as an angle mem her is shown in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13. The hanger 400 can be utilized with a standard drapery rod 402 shown in cross section in FIG. 12 as well as the rod of this invention. The hanger 400 has an inner flange section 404 which can be formed as a disc or a rectangular element as shown, having a flange 406 and a groove 408. The groove 408 is of a suitable dimension to ride within the opening of the rod 402 so that it can traverse along the length thereof in secure juxtaposition therein.

An outer flange 410 is also provided to secure the hanger 400 in the rod 402. The outer flange 410 is formed as part of an upwardextension of the angle member as an arcuate curved section thereof and has an opening 414 therein. The opening 414 can be suitably mounted on the projections 50 or 60 of the lazy tongs previously described. The arcuate section 412 extends at approximately a 90 degree angle into a leg 416 terminating in a carrier abutment 418. The carrier abutment 418 has a groove 420 therein. The leg 416 has a second opening 422 through which a hook 424 or arm of a pleater bar 426 is placed.

The hook 424 has a series of U shaped upstanding members 430 and 432 extending therefrom and is welded at a point 434 in order to provide a pleater bar assembly so that a drape may be pleated through the openings 436 of the pleater bar 426.

A depending heel 440 depends from the leg 416 in a downward manner and with the opening 422 therein prevents rotational movement of the pleater bar 426.

A feature of great interest in this specific embodiment is the heel 440 which prevents rotational movement of the pleater bar 426 in a downward and outward manner as in the direction of arrow A and the backward direction of arrow B. It should be specifically noted that the heel 440 which holds the hook 424 therein is of particular importance inasmuch as the hook 424 is prevented from backward movement when a drape is secured on the pleater bar and is pulling it outwardly and downwardly. Thus, the pleater bar 426 is maintained in a substantially vertically oriented position to prevent the common appearance of most drapes hanging backwardly in the direction of arrow B. It is the heel, also in combination with the groove 422, which prevents the drapes from moving in such as manner as to rotate about the axis of the point of support.

In summation, the showings of FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 provide a hanging member on which a pleater bar 426 can be supported so that it is maintained in substantially vertical relationship to provide a vertical support for the drapes so that the pleats do not bend backwardly in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. 12.

It should be apparent that other alternative embodiments incorporating this invention can be effectuated. Therefore, the scope and spirit of this invention is only to be read and defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A drapery support system comprising:

an elongated member providing a channel therein;

lazy tongs for expanded and contracted movement along said channel;

projections extending from said lazy tongs and guiding said tongs in the channel of said elongated member;

drapery support means connected to said lazy tongs for holding a drape and moving in a proportionate manner with said lazy tongs as they expand and contract along the length of said channel member; and,

a longitudinally slotted member receiving one end of the terminal portions of said lazy tongs along their length for guided relationship of a portion of said lazy tongs.

2. The system as claimed in claim I further comprising:

projections formed as pins passing through at least one of the points where said lazy tongs have the members thereof connected; and,

a second pair of pins projecting outwardly from said terminal points of said lazy tongs distalfrom where said first pins are located.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said slotted member overlies said second pins to provide a guided relationship for said lazy tongs in conjunction with said second pins; and,

said first pins glide along two longitudinalbeads pro vided on either side of the channel of said elongated member. i I t 4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said drapery hanging means comprises a U-shaped member with one upright thereof supported by one of the pins of said lazy tongs; and, i I

pleater means supported on said U shaped member for pleating said drapery.

5. The. system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pleater means comprises:

an elongated member having a series of longitudinally fluted projections and channels wherein such channels are enlarged interiorly of the exposed Iongitudinal openings thereof for purposes of nipping a drape placed within said longitudinal opening.

6. A drapery pleater in combination with a drapery rod comprising:

an elongated channel member;

lazy tongs within said elongated channel member having extensions at the joindure points of the members of said lazy tongs and resting on a portion of the internal portion of said channelmember;

elongated guide means holding said lazy tongs in substantial alignment at a point distal from said projections resting on said channel member;

draw means for pulling said lazy tongs;

a T-shaped member having an upright portion thereof connected to one of the connection points of the members of said lazy tongs;

an opening in said T member through which said terial to be nipped within said longitudinal opendraw means is placed; ings; and

means to secure said draw means to said T member;

. fanned fluted extensions which cause drapery matean elongated pleater member having a series of longrtudinal rounded openings along the length thereof to fan around the Surface thereofi expanding inwardly for the receipt of drapery ma- 

1. A drapery support system comprising: an elongated member providing a channel therein; lazy tongs for expanded and contracted movement along said channel; projections extending from said lazy tongs and guiding said tongs in the channel of said elongated member; drapery support means connected to said lazy tongs for holding a drape and moving in a proportionate manner with said lazy tongs as they expand and contract along the length of said channel member; and, a longitudinally slotted member receiving one end of the terminal portions of said lazy tongs along their length for guided relationship of a portion of said lazy tongs.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: projections formed as pins passing through at least one of the points where said lazy tongs have the members thereof connected; and, a second pair of pins projecting outwardly from said terminal points of said lazy tongs distal from where said first pins are located.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said slotted member overlies said second pins to provide a guided relationship for said lazy tongs in conjunction with said second pins; and, said first pins glide along two longitudinal beads provided on either side of the channel of said elongated member.
 4. The system as claimed in claiM 3 wherein: said drapery hanging means comprises a U-shaped member with one upright thereof supported by one of the pins of said lazy tongs; and, pleater means supported on said U shaped member for pleating said drapery.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pleater means comprises: an elongated member having a series of longitudinally fluted projections and channels wherein such channels are enlarged interiorly of the exposed longitudinal openings thereof for purposes of nipping a drape placed within said longitudinal opening.
 6. A drapery pleater in combination with a drapery rod comprising: an elongated channel member; lazy tongs within said elongated channel member having extensions at the joindure points of the members of said lazy tongs and resting on a portion of the internal portion of said channel member; elongated guide means holding said lazy tongs in substantial alignment at a point distal from said projections resting on said channel member; draw means for pulling said lazy tongs; a T-shaped member having an upright portion thereof connected to one of the connection points of the members of said lazy tongs; an opening in said T member through which said draw means is placed; means to secure said draw means to said T member; an elongated pleater member having a series of longitudinal rounded openings along the length thereof expanding inwardly for the receipt of drapery material to be nipped within said longitudinal openings; and, fanned fluted extensions which cause drapery material to fan around the surface thereof. 